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The recent rise in popularity of people exploring the spiritual world has been accompanied by some dangerous consequences. Among these are the spiritual mind games and manipulation that cults leave their followers with, as well as false advertising that does not keep privilege in mind. Wellness festivals and spiritual products with supposed healing properties have been springing up.
For instance, a 2023 video from VICE News entitled “Inside the Wellness Festival for Millionaires” detailed the various activities at the festival A-Fest, including such events as “STEM-cell dick injections” and “how to tap your trauma away.” A-Fest, formerly known as Awesomeness-Fest, is run by spiritual entrepreneur Vishen Lakhiani, who has developed a sort of cult following; attendees at the festival have taken to calling him a “visionary creative genius.” This type of worship is scary, because as a country we have seen what worshipping a person (or political figure) can do; the horror stories behind mass suicides in cults, for instance, or the incredulous worshipping of Trump that has led to some dangerously radical behavior. During A-Fest, participants can be expected to find themselves in classes like “how to read a book by simply placing your hand on it,” as well as classes taught by the “rave organizer turned orgasm guru” Niraj Naik.
In addition to the mysterious cult following of Vishen Lakhiani, the fame that various spirituality companies have managed to develop is quite interesting; for example, American actress Gwyneth Paltrow started a wellness company Goop in which she sells controversial and wildly-priced products. Among these products is a “jade egg to increase vaginal muscle tone” and a “This Smells Like My Orgasm” scented candle. On the Goop website is a blurb about the apparent science of forks: “Human bodies operate at an ideal energetic frequency […] If you tap a fork […] and […] hold this near another fork […] it will also oscillate at the same frequency — the theory is that your cells can do the same when using our smart stickers.” Additionally, according to the Buzzfeed Ladylike video entitled “I Lived Like Gwyneth Paltrow,” Goop’s Paper Crane Apothecary has a product called Psychic Vampire Repellent, which is a “protective mist to shield you from all the vampires and negative energy in your life,” meant to “safeguard the aura.” Some of the ingredients within this product are advertised as the following: “grain alcohol, sound waves, moonlight, sonically tuned water.” Goop also sells stickers that one is meant to place on their body in order to heighten their frequency and promote healing (referenced in the quotation above about the science of forks). They also have a rose quartz egg and advertise that “Regular use increases chi, orgasms, vaginal muscle tone, hormonal balance and feminine energy in general.” While her products are meant to reduce negative energy, and her intentions seem to be good, the insanely overpriced items (for example, a 10-pack of body vibe stickers sells for $60) say something about her privilege.
All in all, spirituality, mental hygiene and focus, and good health are all wonderful and should be promoted; of course I hope that more people feel a sense of abundance and wellness in their day-to-day lives. As long as they’re not hurting anybody else by spreading harmful misinformation and false advertising, I encourage people to do whatever works for them. However, this cult-like, misinformed and privileged version of spirituality and spiritual growth is where it crosses a line, and where, in my opinion, the problem lies.